Historical Traveler Reviews Hotel BLOOM! Saint-Josse-ten-Noode

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from anonymous

This hotel rates itself as a 4-star, however, the true rating is closer to 2.5-3 star, at best. Although very clean, the room was in dire need of a renovation as it looked like a throwback to 1978. Although a non-smoking room, it did smell of old cigarette smoke throughout. That being said, the hotel staff were very friendly and attentive. Overall, I would not return to this hotel on a subsequent trip to Brussels.

Suprised at the other reviews this hotel has had.

from claregirl

I agree it's not 4star but we had a v comfortable stay here. Our room was spotless and large, nice and warm which was great as the weather was cold. Staff were very helpful and pleasant and all spoke excellent English. Had a great night in the hotel bar drinking cocktails. 20 min walk to the grand place but that was okay too. Would stay here again.

Only so-so

from anonymous

Like previous reviews have mentioned, this hotel seemed somewhat outdated and slightly run-down (especially the lobby, which looked to have been designed in the 70's).

Our room was very large and comfortable, but had a musty smell to it. The bathroom was nice and clean, and the closet was large, with plenty of storage space. We had a problem with our phone, however - the connection was very bad and sometimes wouldn't work at all. This was inconvienient to us because we had friends staying in the same hotel and we kept having to walk down the hall to their room to talk to them instead of making a quick phone call.

The hotel's location wasn't the greatest - it was a good 20-minute walk (minimum) to any of the main attractions, and I saw a lot of closer hotels along the way.

Overall, the hotel was a decent value for the price, but definitely in need of a good renovation.

Good Hotel with Seventies Kitch Glitz

from anonymous

I am puzzled by some other reviews and I wonder if it has been renovated, at least in part. In December 2004, We stayed on the 6th floor, the room was both spacious and spotless, decor was fresh, with good quality fixtures, bathroom clean and more than adequate. Bar was comfortable (great armchairs) Breakfast is as much as you can eat, typical hotel buffet, fine, but not exactly the highlight of the trip.

The area is a bit bleak, but close to metro, only about 12 minutes walk to main shopping street, and if you walk via adjacent Botanic gardens a pleasant walk - but not otherwise, though perfectly safe.

Shabby, but kitsch.

from DN67

Most definitely not a 5, or even a 4 star hotel. The decor is old and in desperate need of a refurb. The lobby is a symphony of 70's kitsch, though, sadly, not intentionally! Some people may find it amusing. i know i did. The setting is not so good. A slightly seedy feel and quite a way from the centre. Overall, caution is advised. you could do much better and cheaper elsewhere in Brussels. But go for a look at the lighting in reception. Fantastic!!

NO WAY THIS RATES A 4-STAR!

from anonymous

This hotel does not come close to a 4-star rating. Needs refurbishment and the rooms have seen plenty of use! Breakfast buffet over-priced for the contents.

Hotel offers a queen bed but this is two-double beds pushed together. Uncomfortable hump in the middle!

Staff was very curtious.

This is NOT a four star hotel

from anonymous

I was told this hotel is of four-star quality and standing, but it is most definitely not. The hotel looked like it had been built 25 years ago and the carpeting had not been replaced once. On the walk to our room, we noticed stains everywhere in the hallway and it smelled like old smoke. Our room was not nice at all. Our bathroom was dirty, with mold in the grout and hair still in the bathtub and there were also stains all over our room on the carpet. Scuff marks up and down the halls and our room as well. The bedspread was discolored when we turned back our bed. My husband was in a hurry to get out of there and usually he doesn't say much! The hotel is in kind of a shady neighborhood. It's about a 10 block walk to Grand Place, but you may want to take a cab on the way back. We really didn't receive a cheerful greeting when we arrived either. Hope this review helps your decision. If you are looking for a really nice stay in Europe please treat yourself and don't stay here! There are much nicer hotels very close to Grand Place.

Not Great

from Stephansen

First of all don't be fooled this is NOT a five star hotel. I stayed at the ?Royal Crown? for one night while in Brussels on business. The hotel is located outside the city centre, and the neighbourhood is not pleasant at all. The room was quite large but very warn down and not clean at all. One good thing about the hotel though, the buffet breakfast was excellent!I will not recommend this hotel to others and the next time I?m in Brussels I will stay at the ?Royal Windsor? instead.

Dirty Mess

from Jopjoris

This Hotel is a mess. Our room was dirty, not worth one star! It was old too. The service is crap! Some guy at the desk didn't speak english or dutch, only french. The neighbourhood is absolutely rotten, we drove thru a street with hookers and dealers just behind the hotel. I was glad i could leave this place...

... was shattered by a strange sound. The couple who had kept stopping had finally reached the top. I turned the corner of the Butte to see, even though my good sense told me not too, but it was too late…I’d already seen it. The woman was sick. I think they were both out of shape (he smoked, and she seemed like she did), and I think she was just suffering from a little bit of old fashioned over-exertion. He passed her a Kleenex (the ultimate in ...

... could find. At the road level we looked for the taxi, there is little signage because of the renovations, I think.

Arriving at the NH Atlanta Hotel and it gave a good impression of what our room would be like and we were not disappointed. It has a door on the bathroom, the thing that was missing from our last hotel. The room is lovely, large room, large bathroom and tea and coffee.

We went for a walk towards the pedestrian centre not far away, not expecting ...

... Central when two middle-aged eastern European men approached Harry, Holley and Jay who were sitting directly in front of me. They started to point to Holley's bookbag and as one man distracted them towards the ground, the other man quickly grabbed onto Jay's bookbag from the top shelf and proceeded to slowly walk away. Since I was across from them, I wasn't distracted and saw the man take Jay's bookbag so I started yelling "He took your bookbag Jay!!!" The two ...

... the winner was decided by penalty kicks - not my favourite way to end a game. Regardless of the match, I was able to get what I was looking for - a time and place to be around good people and good energy, with a chance to talk to strangers, make new friends, talk the same language of football despite not speaking in the same idiom with some of the Belgian locals.

What started out as a visit to Belgium feeling completely alone, ended with an ...